Kozani is the capital and largest city of the region of Western Macedonia, as well as of the regional unit of the same name. It is built between the mountain ranges of Vermio, Burino and Pieria, 15 km northwest of the lake of Polyphytos, at an altitude of 720 meters above sea level. It is 120 km from Thessaloniki and 470 km from Athens. It has 55,926 inhabitants, while the newly enlarged Kallikratikos Municipality has 75,388 inhabitants (2011 census).

The city houses departments of the University of Western Macedonia and the Technological Educational Institute (TEI) of the same region. It is also the seat of the Police Directorate, the Fire Service and the Court of Appeal of Western Macedonia, the 1st Army Corps of Greece and the Holy Metropolis of Serbia and Kozani.

Sights

The Koventareios Municipal Library of Kozani is the second largest in Greece after that of Athens, and has 153,000 volumes, more than 380 manuscripts, 315 codices and many rare publications, including one of the 17 surviving originals of the Charter of Rigas Feraeus . For this reason, Kozani had joined the National Cultural Network of Cities with the aim of promoting Books and Reading. This is how the Book and Reading Institute was established and Kozani was established as city of the Book. The Institute ceased to exist after the implementation of the Kallikrates Law.

The Historical-Folklore and Natural History Museum of Kozani is located in the center of the city and is housed in a building of Macedonian architecture.

The Archaeological Museum of Kozani is housed in a town mansion.

The Museum of Modern Local History.

The Mansions of Gr. Bourkas and G. Lassani of the few remaining in the city. The latter houses the Municipal Paper Archive where, among other things, one of the few originals of the map of Rigas Ferraios is exhibited.

The new municipal garden of the city

THE Metropolitan church of Agios Nikolaos (17th century) with the important frescoes, the wood-carved iconostasis and the bell tower – a symbol of Kozani.

Other notable preserved buildings of the city are the National Bank building, the "Drizio" endowment, the "Valtadorio" high school, the "Hermioneion" hotel, etc.

The Kuri Park and park of Agios Dimitrios, where the spiritual center and the Municipal Regional Theater of the city are located. The Municipal Garden of Kozani, created on the site of the old Psychogiou camp, wins impressions by offering oxygen to the city.

 

Halloween in Kozani and other events

Halloween in Kozani has a particularity that makes it stand out. The events begin with dances and songs on "Tsiknopempi", 12 days before the Great Halloween. In the last week there is a real spree of disguised and non-disguised people, who dance, "throw", to the rhythm of the local dance "eleven". On the Great Halloween there is a parade of floats. There you can see the Kozanitiko humor, the caustic satirical mood and the witty criticism of every topical issue.

On Halloween night, after the afternoon parade of floats, the "lanterns" are lit in every neighborhood. Around the fire, an all-night feast continues with Kozani mockery and traditional Halloween songs. Along with the mezes and the traditional Kozani "kichia" there is also plenty of locally produced "kokkineli" wine.

In addition to the carnival, other events that take place in the city are: Lasagne (in honor of the fighter of the Revolution of 1821 G. Lassani), at the end of the summer. They consist of theatrical performances, concerts, sports matches, etc. The annual trade fair New day takes place on the first Tuesday of October in the homonymous area of the city.

The Philharmonic of the Municipality, Pandora, is the oldest in Greece and participates in all the events and celebrations of the city.